Question 1

My key blade snapped off inside the ignition. Can you get it out and make a new one?

Accepted Answer

Yes, broken key extraction is a standard job. I carry the tools to pull a snapped blade out of an ignition cylinder without damaging it. Once it's out, I can decode the cut from the extracted piece and cut a new remote head key right there.

On the 2012 Avenger, the remote head key takes some wear over time, and the blade shank can fatigue if the key is used as a bottle opener or carries a heavy keychain for years. If the head of the original key is still physically intact, I can sometimes transfer the internal components into a new shell, depending on condition. Either way, the car doesn't have to go anywhere. I do the extraction, the cutting, and the programming on site.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote head key, and how is it different from a regular key or a separate fob?

Accepted Answer

A remote head key is one piece. The blade sticks out of the bottom, and the plastic head at the top holds both the transponder chip and the remote buttons. Everything is integrated.

A standard key is just a blade with no electronics. A key-plus-fob setup means the car key and the remote are two separate things you carry together. A remote head key combines all three functions into a single unit. Your 2012 Avenger uses the remote head format, which means you're holding the blade, the chip, and the five-button remote in one hand, all the time.

The practical downside is that replacing one part of it usually means replacing the whole thing and reprogramming. You can't just swap the blade alone.

Question 3

My Avenger shows a key-not-detected warning and won't start. Where do I begin?

Accepted Answer

Start with the CR2032 battery in the fob. A weak cell is the most common reason remote head keys start acting up on these cars. Swap it with a fresh one and try again.

If the battery is fine and the car still won't start, check whether you're getting any response from the remote buttons at all. If the locks respond but the car won't crank, that's a different path than if nothing responds to anything. The remote and the start function run through separate circuits, so one can fail while the other still works.

Also check the key itself for damage around the head where the blade meets the plastic. Cracks there can shift the internal components just enough to cause intermittent communication. If you've tried a fresh battery, confirmed no physical damage, and the car still won't cooperate, that's the point to call a locksmith or a tech with a diagnostic scanner to read what the security system is actually seeing.

Question 4

I bought a replacement remote head key online. Why won't it start my Avenger?

Accepted Answer

Because it isn't programmed to your car yet. A new or used remote head key bought online is a blank as far as your Avenger is concerned. The transponder chip inside has to be registered to the vehicle through the diagnostic port before the car will recognize it and allow the engine to start.

This is one of the most common calls I get. Someone orders a key, gets it cut at a hardware store, puts it in the ignition, and it turns but nothing happens. The cut is fine. The programming is missing.

The remote functions can sometimes be synced through a button sequence depending on the vehicle, but the ignition side of a remote head key on this car requires a programmer. If you already have the key cut and in hand, that's actually fine. I can come out and do the programming portion without having to supply the key myself, which keeps the job faster and simpler.

Question 5

How many keys can the 2012 Avenger hold in memory, and does adding a spare affect my existing key?

Accepted Answer

The system on this car supports multiple programmed keys. Adding a spare does not erase or affect your current working key, as long as the job is done correctly. A proper add-a-key procedure registers the new key alongside the existing ones.

Where people run into trouble is when someone programs a key using an all-keys-lost procedure by mistake, or uses a tool that wipes the module before writing. That erases everything already stored, including your current key. A good tech will confirm what's already in memory before doing anything, and will use the correct procedure for your situation, whether that's adding a key or starting from scratch.

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